On to the next chapter! I really have a lot of school work to do, so as I said in the last chapter, I'll be uploading a little less. I'll do my best though.

I'm trying to sort out my plans for this story, I know what the main parts of the story are going to be, I just have to add in the details and sort everything out, so please be patient. I feel really guilty when I make you guys wait!

Chapter Two - Alone

I stare at the crumpled paper in my hands, reading the words over and over until I can no longer read them, as my tears have smudged the ink.

It makes me desperate, I need to escape from this room. This prison. I need to find her. I can't through.

I need to stay here, and not injure myself any more than I already have.

Sooner or later, somebody will open up that door, and the chaos that is my life will begin again. It's like somebody has just hit the pause button, and left me by myself to think things through, blocking out the whole world for me. In one way, I'm grateful. In another, I can't wait until they hit the play button again.

I tie the braclet Raven made for me around my wrist tightly. I haven't eaten properly for weeks, and it's definatley showing. The bracelets that were once tight against my skin now hang loose, my engagement ring barely stays on my finger.

I might as well take a look at all the other gifts, or Treasure will make me open them in front of everyone I know, maybe even in front of a camera, and I'd have to show fake enthusiasm. The only gifts I'll really appreciate are not gifts of money or diamonds, I'm not materialistic like that.

I'll appreciate gifts that actually mean something to me.

I roll back onto my side, reaching over for the first thing I can find. It's a small package, with an envelope stuck ontop of it.

I can't guess who it is by the handwriting, and to make it even more confusing, it is wrapped in simple, white paper. Not extravagant like some of the gifts I have seen.

I open it up, and inside is a copy of something I recognise. A song book. My song book. I flip through it, bringing back all the memories from before the games.

Who could have given me this?

I pick up the envelope, still trying to guess who it could be. I have no clue.

I open the card, and inside, is quite a long note. I force myself to read all of it, but my eyes are already getting sick of this world. My body wants me to sleep, but my brain refuses. What if I never wake up again?

Dear Phee,

You did so well in the games, we do hope that you'll wake up. You have so much to live for, and everyone is missing you.

We saw you reading through this before the games, and we didn't know what else we could get you. So, here you go.

You'll be okay.

Happy Birthday.

Donna and Jonothan.

Ah, that explains things. I wonder what they were thinking when they were watching me. They are the ones that would be sorting out my sponsors, they were the ones that helped Hunter.

If they hadn't, I probably wouldn't be here. Her, Ryan and I, we kept eachother alive. Without one another, we'd be dead for sure.

I put my song book down beside me, and reach for another gift. I can't guess what it is, but then, I'm not very good at guessing.

I pull off the paper, setting it down on the floor beside me. It's a small box. I open it up, and peer inside. There are three fishing hooks, obviously handmade. These could only be from one person.

I pick up the little note that is placed inside and try to read the messy handwriting.

Phee. Please, wake up. I don't want to lose someone else I love. You're one of the only people I have left.

Happy Birthday to one of the two best sisters in the world.

Hunter made one of the hooks, I taught her how to. She's worried about you.

It's from Ryan. I know it before I even see his name written at the bottom of the tear stained paper. It's unusual to see him this... Emotional. But then, I have been out for a week, or at least, according to that news program I have.

The fishing hooks remind me of my birthdays as a child. My father would wake me early, and we would all meet in the main room of the hut, where my mother would hand me my present. They always gave me something I loved. I can remember, the last year my mother was there for my birthday, I got three fishing hooks.

I wipe a tear from my face as I close the box.

I reach for the next present. It's heavy, and I can hardly lift it. I manage though. It's wrapped in bright blue paper, covered in sparkles and bows.

I already know who this is from.

I'm exoecting a handbag, shoes, or a dress, but I'm pleasantly surprised when I open up the box.

Inside, is a statue, a small one, made some sort of glass.

It's a mermaid. It looks exactly like what I pictured when my mother told me stories about them. It's not just a mermaid through. It's me.

I smile as I try to lift it, putting it on the table beside my bed where it shimmers in the florescent light.

I open up the card that was attatched to the box.

Dearest Phoenix,

You did brilliantly in the games! You have the whole Capitol wrapped around your little finger! I do hope you recover from your horrible injury. We are all supporting you. If you don't belive me, look out of you window.

I can't wait for you victors interview!

From Treasure.

Well... She's enthusiastic. Just as I remeber her.

It has taken me this long to realise that I'm crying. I don't even try to stop. If I'm going to be an emotional wreck, I might as well do it thoroughly.

Should I look out of my window? It's a pretty long way to go, but I'm sure I can make it if I have something to hold onto.

I manage to pull myself out of bed again, holding onto everything I can get my hands on for support. It reminds me of the first time I wore heels.

Ignoring the stabbing pain in my side, I slowly make my way towards the window. It's one way glass, so I'm not worried about anyone spotting me.

The familliar skyine of the Capitol is all I can see for a few seconds. It's like I'm seeing it all again for the first time. The glinting towers of steel and glass that stretch above the clouds and out of sight, the distant mountains that dominate the landscape, the bustling streets...

I look down, and I see a huge crowd gathered below the building.

So, this is what Treasure was talking about.

There are so many people, I can't even comprehend it. I can't see them properly, but I'm guessing, from what I saw on the news anyway, that they're not too happy.

I can see that there are barriers around the building, preventing anyone from attempting to get in, and ontop of that, rows of peacekeepers, making sure nobody does anything stupid.

I shudder. Since when did peacekeepers want to protect me? They've always been my enemies.

I'm tempted to open the window and wave at them, just to see what they do, but the windows will be locked, and I'm not that stupid.

I'm enjoying my time alone anyway. I just want to make sure that Ryan, Hunter, and Raven are okay. I'm sure they will be, but it's natural for me to worry.

I just stand there, leaning on the window ledge, watching the crowds below me. It's strange, how oblivious they are. Almost funny.

I'm engrossed by the ever changing colour show produced by their embellished wigs and bright clothing, I could just stand there and watch for hours. I watch for what seems like hours, but Is probably merely seconds. I'm losing track of time. I don't mind though.

I'm pulled out of my trance by the sound of my door unlocking.

I'm stepping out from behind the curtains and back into the spotlihgt.

So, the story really begins next chapter! This was Phee just kind of remembering everyone. Hopefully, the next chapter will be up soon. I can't wait to really start this story and introduce you guys to some new characters! Eek! Excitement!

Thank you so much for reading.

BethanyDee x x